"HAST SAMUDRIKA" popularly known as "PALMISTRY" i.e. study of hand is very small part of Samudrika Shastra, Science which was well developed in ancient India . Samudrika Shastra is the study of the whole body and various signs on it. Palmistry is a well-established science, which pulls everyone to it even as a layman. However, like every 'Science', one has to have patience and learn its deep intricacies to get its correct and true meaning.

To study Palmistry we divide the Hand into two parts :- 1. Shape of hand 2. Lines of hand. Shape of hand is again sub-divided into two primary parts :- 1. Thumb, Fingers & Nails 2. Palm & Mounts Thus in all we have divided the study of Palmistry into four main parts : 1.Thumb , Fingers & Nails 2.Palm and Mounts 3.Shape of Hand 4.Lines of Hand The Thumb The thumb is the most important digit which man has. It is the meeting point of palm and fingers. It should rather be called and treated as king of Hand. Without it, the fingers will not be able to grasp anything. Because of thumb, a man is called a social animal otherwise it would have been just any animal. Position It lies above the Mount of Venus. Represents Denotes the intelligence in an individual.
Origin
1) Wrist :- If it has originated from the wrist the person is highly intelligent and has a fund of human sympathy.
2) Aggressive Mars :- If the thumb has originated from the aggressive Mars, the person tries to have his desires fulfilled with physical force instead of his intelligence. Parts of the Thumb The thumb has only two parts. Part continuing nails is the first part. Below that is second part. First Part represent Action, Will Power. Second Part represent Capacity for Thought & Logical Analysis. If the first part is longer than the second, the person is of firm resolve. He acts in haste without thinking about the consequences of his actions. If the second part is longer, the person thinks more and acts less. If the second part of the thumb is narrow in the middle, it is called a waist like thumb. A person with such a thumb does not have the courage to express his views openly. But there is finesse in his actions. If the second part is thick the person is fearless but he is clumsy in his actions. If the two part are equal in length there is a balance between thought and action.
Length
Normal :- Thumb which extends to the middle of the third part of the index finger is of normal length. A thumb of a normal length indicates the normal development of the brain of an individual.
Shorter :- If it is short of the middle of the third part it is called shorter thumb. A short thumb indicates that the development of the brain has not been complete. Persons with a short thumb act instinctively. Their capacity to resist the pressure of basic instincts like hunger and thirst, fear, sex, anger and jealously is very limited. If a thumb originating from near the aggressive Mars extends to the middle part of the index finger, it would be considered to be short because it originates from a high place. If along with a short thumb, the Mount of Venus is well-developed the individual is unable to cop the pressure of sexual hunger and the question of proper or improper is not material to him. He is more like an animal then a men.
If however his second part is also long as compared to the first one he will be lazy of top quality
Longer :- If it extends beyond the middle of the third part it is larger thumb. Persons with such thumb are talented persons and have the lust for power. If along with the longer thumb they have also a longer index finger accompanied by a well developed Mount of Jupiter they are likely to ascend to positions of power. If however their first part is also longer they are real genius and have a dominating nature. They have a firm resolution which however is not harmful for others around him.
One must also study the head line when one find a long thumb. If the head line is not good, all the qualities associated with a long thumb turn into faults. Knot If the knot between the two part is prominent it indicates caution and the tendency to be wide awake. If the knot is soft or is not prominent enough to be noticed, the person is careless and devoid of the spirit of caution.

Tip Of The Thumb Full and Thick :- The person is full of zeal and self-confidence. If the first part is like a club, in addition to it the man is violent by disposition.
Flat like the end of an oar :- The person is stubborn
Square :- The person will have administrative ability.
Conic :- The person is short of resolve.
Inclination Of The Thumb When one stretches his/her thumb it can be in any of the three positions.
Straight :- The person is of a balance disposition and has the quality of resoluteness. Inward :- The person is likely to be of a violent disposition. Outward :- There is no desire for violence of the person.

Distance Between The Thumb And The Index Finger Angle of 90 degrees :- If the four fingers are close together and the thumb is extended without any force and makes an angle of 90 degrees the person is of a balanced disposition.
Less than 90 degrees :- If the angle is less than 90 degrees, the people with such thumb abide by the conventions and traditions though which we lived through. He has less capacity to adjust himself to the changing values/ surroundings etc...
Obtuse :- If the angle is obtuse (i.e. more than 90 degrees, the person does not take kindly to advice from others.